Who is Hosanna?

I think the lives we lead, and the world we live in have blinded us to the reality that we are in serious trouble… and we don’t even see it.

Christ is the fulfillment of the Hosanna cry; He is the ultimate Deliverer who enters our lives to save us from sin and despair, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Savior.

Plea with Praise

Psalm 118:25–26 “ 25 Please, LORD, please save us. Please, LORD, please give us success. 26 Bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.

The origin of the word 'Hosanna' is a plea for salvation and a declaration of God's faithfulness. Look how it’s crying for help while recognizing past deliverance, He’s pointing out the experience of needing help and finding hope simultaneously. As God’s people celebrated His past faithfulness, perhaps we too could be encouraged to bring our deepest needs before God, trusting in Him.

Don’t hesitate to actually vocalize to Him what’s on your heart.

Can we stop for a second, and look at what He’s already done, as we shout ‘Hosanna’ in our present struggles?

During the Palm Sunday celebration, the crowd hailed Jesus as 'Hosanna', acknowledging Him as their long-awaited Messiah. This title, which signifies 'God saves', mirrors our own search for salvation in a world filled with uncertainty. Every time we call upon Him in despair or joy, we are reaffirming His role as our Savior. Jesus is not just a historical figure; He is our personal 'Hosanna', our Redeemer.

Proclamation of Promise

Matthew 21:9–11 “9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in highest heaven!” 10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Can we see the excitement and expectation as people recognized Jesus as the promised Messianic King. However, all too often, just like them, we misinterpret His mission… we often have our own misguided expectations of how God should act.

Consider a parent who buys a child a shiny new toy, believing it will make them happy. Instead, the child ends up playing with the box! Sometimes, we focus on the superficial aspects of life, placing our happiness in worldly things rather than in Christ. This reflects how we often misplace expectations—thinking material gifts will satisfy, when in truth, it is our relationship with Christ that brings lasting joy and fulfillment.

A young man prayed fervently for a promotion at work, convinced it would finally bring him happiness and fulfillment. After weeks of waiting, he learned the promotion went to someone else. Initially devastated, he realized through this disappointment that his true fulfillment was not in career success but in his relationship with Christ. Often, we place our expectations on God, assuming He will act in ways we desire, but He gently redirects us back to what truly matters—His love and presence in our lives.

Another view of that day is found in John as a...

Promise Fulfilled

John 12:12–15 12 The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Hail to the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: 15 “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”

Acknowledging Jesus invites us to see Him as our ultimate Deliverer. This recognition might encourage believers to trust in His redemptive purpose in our personal lives and to celebrate His victory over sin and despair, as the final expression of God's saving work.

Worship team...

When you say His name, it should do something to you

God forbid, that we can say that name, and it not move us… Hosanna, our deliverer, our freedom...

When we say that name, it should do something deep within us...

It should warm our hearts, we should never leave here not feeling the burning in our hearts for His presence… His transformational love...

His name is like no other name, His name is Holy, when we speak His name with the expectation of feeling His move upon us… it makes this moment Holy… because He is here...

I don’t need to guess, or hope… He promised… where 2 or 3 are gathered, I am there… in the midst of you.

Are you speaking His name in your life… are you shouting Hosanna?